Artists
Related: About this forumWith not much else to do I'm thinking of going back into the studio.
This is a piece called "New Wrinkles" which represented a style evolution in my work from a flatter, tighter style to a more flowing, looser use of the paints and textures (acrylics, thickening mediums and with some collage)thus the title. At the time I was still in New York in a co-op gallery on Mercer St, near Broadway and Houston. The work was figurative with some distortion and my themes were figures from African-American folk tales such as Frankie and Johnie, Stagger Lee and Billy, and John Henry.
[![New-Wrinkles2.jpg]()](https://postimg.cc/H8spqwGG)
msongs
(70,178 posts)Alacritous Crier
(4,174 posts)brush
(57,517 posts)lunatica
(53,410 posts)I like figurative representational paintings that depict cultural concepts. I have done a few in an effort to capture something that is represented by the human figure that symbolically represents deep seated beliefs and cultural customs. That symbolize beliefs that are shared through the creative sharing of art or songs that are popular and iconic.
My reaction to your painting is that youre depicting a human figure squeezed into an unnatural pose in a space that is too small and restrictive for the figure to feel free or act naturally. Yet the man is looking at the viewer which gives it a dynamic and more personal touch, because the viewer becomes a part of the unfolding scene. I see a proud figure because of that gaze. One that isnt lost in his inner world but who connects with the viewer. In spite of being bent over and forced to squat within the confines of the canvas he is dressed well, with style in his clothes and his hair and especially in his shiny shoes. There is a sense of innate pride in the figure depicted.
I may be totally off base in what you are depicting here, but you would have to tell what your objective was to enlighten me or viewers since figurative painting is ultimately a personal thing for the artist.
If this enforced self distancing makes you go back to your painting then its a very good way to spend your time. You have talent and it shows. I would like to see much more and I would love to see what your explanations are too.